L.A.B. 2009 to be more British

For those of you that missed the delights of the L.A.B. show - held at Excel, London, at the beginning of October - you really didn’t miss much.

Exhibitors at the L.A.B. show were disappointed with the number of visitors

This all-new trade fair and conference was brought to the UK by Leipziger Messe, Gambica and their German counterpart Spectaris in a bid to resurrect the Lab show of old. With a general offering of analysis, bio and laboratory equipment, their experience and impressive pedigree meant they managed to get together 88 exhibitors for the three-day event. Sadly the visitor numbers just didn’t follow the exhibitors lead with just 1300 visitors and 82 registered conference delegates turning up during the entire event.

Despite this poor performance a positive spin is being put on the show. The organisers feel confident that this is a positive platform on which to build a successful event, after all Analytica (in Germany) began life with just 40 exhibitors. Leipziger Messe are committed to holding two more L.A.B. shows over the next four years and are passionate about making them work, they just need to find the formula to convince UK lab managers that getting out and about really is a good idea – something we’ve all been searching for over the years.

Wolfgang Marzin, president and CEO of Leipziger Messe, admits that there were some teething problems. He said, “The first L.A.B. show was very promising, it laid the foundation for future fairs, but we know we have to change - one of the key things is the conference, it needs to be more topical and relevant to our key demographic.” Marzin also explained that they are keen to have even more exhibitors at the next event as “every exhibitor from this year is going to re-book” and they are now working closely with getting key French groups including Erlab and UBIFRANCE. Clearly visitor numbers are key to getting this event off the ground so Marzin is hopeful that next time exhibitors will invite their key clients along. Marzin is confident that next time it “will be bigger, more efficient and more British.”

Wolfgang Marzin, president and CEO of Leipziger Messe has admitted to some teething problems

It’s not just the organisers that admitted the event needed work: “The show provided us with the opportunity to meet with many of our UK customers and distributors. Although the quantity of visitors to our stand was disappointing the quality was encouraging,” commented Endecotts managing director, James Townsend. “Lessons have to be learned to encourage participation if there is to be a show in 2009. Visitors will need enticing through the door to make any future shows a success.”

As a German company trying to tackle British reticence it seems that Leipziger Messe has a long way to go. But with a full two years until the next trade fair and conference, they have plenty of time to plan how to get those visitor numbers up. But will scrapping the entrance fee, re-vamping the conference and increasing exhibitor numbers be enough?

What are your thoughts on this? Did you go to L.A.B., if not why not? What events do you go to and why? What gets you out of the lab? This is your website so please leave your comments below.